# What's your favorite stovetop burner? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 6, 2022, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-stovetop-burner/957327 "2022-01-06T15:25:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2022, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-stovetop-burner/957327/21 "2022-01-07T03:36:28Z")
Jumping on the front right wagon. Also have a sweet spot for back right, as it can be turned VERY low and is the only burner on which I can reliably simmer rice, etc w/ no boil-over. Hell, I don’t know how many years we had this damned stove before I realized there was a 5th burner in the middle! And I do the majority of the cooking! ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2022, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-stovetop-burner/957327/22 "2022-01-07T04:27:37Z")
Front left. If we need to use a second burner, it’s the rear left. The other two are almost never used. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2022, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-stovetop-burner/957327/23 "2022-01-07T18:09:28Z")
> [@Paintcharge](#): > > Front left. I’ve also got one of those stoves with 5 burners, on mine the front right is the most powerful, but front left is closer to the work counter. The middle one is a long lozenge shape that came with a griddle pan. I think I’ve made pancakes on it once. Exactly this. I could have written this myself. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2022, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-stovetop-burner/957327/24 "2022-01-07T18:23:52Z")
The 22k BTU wok burner on my [Samsung cooktop.](https://www.samsung.com/us/home-appliances/cooktops-and-hoods/gas-cooktops/36-gas-cooktop-with-22k-btu-true-dual-power-burner-2018-na36n7755ts-aa/) It rocks for wok cooking and for searing steaks with an iron pan. Boom! [![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/yb9ubkh.jpeg "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/yb9ubkh) ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2022, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-stovetop-burner/957327/25 "2022-01-07T18:25:20Z")
Y’all have fancy stovetops. Our 4 gas burners are all identical. The front, right one gets used the most as it is closest to usable counterspace. ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-stovetop-burner/957327/26 "2022-01-08T02:40:57Z")
Ok, so question for all others who have gas ranges. I recently got a new one with a shiny black surface below the grates. It is a real PITA to keep clean. Is there a good way? After cooking anything with spatter (burger or such) I’ll sponge and then paper towel wipe. It still looks streaky. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-stovetop-burner/957327/27 "2022-01-08T02:59:29Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Front left. If we need to use a second burner, it’s the rear left. The other two are almost never used. Me too. Are you and/or your spouse left-handed too? Assuming he also cooks 🙂 Reading this thread I’m kind of jealous. The stove is gas, as is proper, but it has 4 identical burners. I’m actually unable to conceptualize what could make a gas burner more powerful than its fellows, but it sounds nice. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-stovetop-burner/957327/28 "2022-01-08T11:53:01Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > I’m actually unable to conceptualize what could make a gas burner more powerful than its fellows The knob goes to 11. . . . . Joking aside, that’s basically the answer. Bigger valve so more gas comes out when it’s on HI, a physically larger burner, with more holes, or a different configuration of holes, to accept more gas. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-stovetop-burner/957327/29 "2022-01-08T11:55:14Z")
Left-front. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-stovetop-burner/957327/30 "2022-01-08T12:20:24Z")
I still use the back burners almost exclusively, for fear the baby will be able to reach up and pull a pot down onto himself. Baby is now 10 years old, but the anxiety still hasn’t completely worn off. Also, people who use front burners and leave the handles sticking out, vulnerable to being knocked over by anyone walking by, give me shivers. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-stovetop-burner/957327/31 "2022-01-08T12:30:38Z")
> [@Paintcharge](#): > > It still looks streaky. Our shiny silver top has the same issue. My gf uses a spray cleaner made specifically for the stovetop. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2022, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-stovetop-burner/957327/32 "2022-01-11T04:47:02Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > Also, people who use front burners and leave the handles sticking out, vulnerable to being knocked over by anyone walking by, give me shivers. Out of curiosity, are you also [in your 40s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgp8lXMnXEM)? ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2022, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-stovetop-burner/957327/33 "2022-01-11T11:36:27Z")
I am! I don’t think k I eversae that, but my mom was big on “pot handles turned in”. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2022, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-stovetop-burner/957327/34 "2022-01-11T12:24:25Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > people who use front burners and leave the handles sticking out, vulnerable to being knocked over by anyone walking by, give me shivers. Why would anyone walk by? If I’m cooking, the kitchen is mine! You wanna walk by, fine, you make dinner. And if you taste whatever I’m preparing there’ll be a spoon swatting your butt or knuckles. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2022, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-stovetop-burner/957327/35 "2022-01-11T16:44:51Z")
[![](https://i.imgur.com/KNp7ceF.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/KNp7ceF.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2022, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-stovetop-burner/957327/36 "2022-01-11T17:34:12Z")
Right front cuz it’s the biggest. Right rear for the “butter melter for popcorn” cup. The cup is small and the right rear is the smallest burner. ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2022, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-stovetop-burner/957327/37 "2022-01-11T20:17:50Z")
Front right, regardless of the size of the pot/pan. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-stovetop-burner/957327.md?page=1)